Brett magic to lift Jordy’s Derby chances

By Josh Spasaro

Gavin Harris was ‘pleasantly surprised’ with Dashing Jordy’s heat run, but knows he will need to step up again in the Queensland Derby Final at Q2 Parklands on Thursday night.

Currently under the care of champion Queensland trainer Tony Brett, the two-year-old red fawn dog produced the second-fastest heat time behind Winsome Jet for Michelle Sultana, crossing the line in 29.61 seconds.

Dashing Jordy led all the way to comfortably salute by two lengths over the 520 metre distance in his heat last Thursday.

“I was very pleased with his heat. He did better than I expected. I was quite happy,” Harris said.

“And, he’s in good hands with Tony Brett. He only trialled in 30.36 seconds a week earlier. He wasn’t that good in a trial, but that was his first look at the track.

“So, I was pleasantly surprised when he jumped so well. And, 29.61 seconds was a pretty good time, I thought.”

Harris was also happy to see his Fernando Bale and Dashing Wilma chaser draw box seven for the Queensland Derby Final, which is race eight on the card and worth $112,525 on Thursday night.

“I’m never confident about things like that (a Group 2 Final),” he said.

“There are lots of good dogs. But, I like the fact he’s in box seven. I think that’s a good box for him because he tends to drift out a bit wide in the straights.

“If he can jump like that (his heat) he’s in with a chance, that’s for sure. But, there are some very good dogs in the race.”

Dashing Jordy showed good heart to hang on and win two starts back at Angle Park on December 20.

He also jumped well to lead at the first turn from box seven on that occasion.

“He likes outside boxes. He’s had more outside box draws in his history and he’s used to it,” Harris said.

“When he gets to the corner he goes to the rail, but down the straights he tends to drift out a bit wider.

“That gives room for other dogs to come underneath him unfortunately, except if he’s going at a reasonable pace.

“It’ll just be nice to see him jump. That’ll be exciting.”

Dashing Jordy finished fourth in the SA Derby Final on September 18, but Harris saw enough of his chaser stepping up in big races in 2025.

Dashing Jordy saluted on 17 occasions last year in his first full year of racing.

That gives him confidence that he will do the same in the Queensland Derby Final.

“He only finished fourth (in the SA Derby Final). He finished fifth in the Adelaide Cup, as well. He won an Adelaide Cup heat,” he said.

“And, he won our Group 3 Brian Johnstone, which is a breeder series. And, he won the Champion Puppy.

“He’s had a good year, so I was very pleasantly surprised how well he went on Thursday.

“I have to say he exceeded my expectations. He and his sister (Melbourne Cup runner-up Dashing Slay) have done very well, so I can’t fault the two of them.

“Kayla Cottrell has still got her (Dashing Slay) and I think she’s heading towards the Australia Cup series. So, I’ll start trialling her again soon. She’s had a bit of a break and now she’s coming back in the next few weeks.”

Harris has enjoyed a long association with Brett, who is based at Grandchester, just west of The Q.

“Tony had one of my dogs called Luna Jinx. She’s now 14 years old,” he said.

“She did well in the Super Stayers and those kinds of races. She won a Super Stayers in Melbourne under Len Ketelaar (in 2015).

“And, then I sent her up to Tony. I’ve known Tony from the early-2000s. He’s taken a few dogs for me.

“You never know whether your dog is good enough to go to him, but he was willing to take on Jordy.

“And, I think he’s pleasantly surprised, as well.”

Harris said Brett’s attention to detail made him one of Australia’s most respected trainers.

“I think he’s got a good regime for training them. He puts them up straights and gets them pretty fit,” he said.

“He takes them for a walk every day. I think that gets them settled in. He seems to get the best out of dogs.”